Stacking Burritos
“From Bag to Background”
This video shows how I work—no styling, no tricks, no gimmicks. Just the food, exactly as it comes. These are Taco Bell Bean Burritos, unwrapped and arranged by hand, straight out of the bag and onto the black background.
Nothing added. No fake grill marks, no glue, no tweezers. The beans, the cheese, the sauce—it all looks exactly like this when you open the bag.
Twelve identical burritos, photographed for National Burrito Day. More of my “From Bag to Background” at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Twelve Bean Burritos For Today
Twelve Bean Burritos. Photographed for today, National Burrito Day!
First introduced in the 1960s, the Taco Bell Bean Burrito helped define the early fast food model—simple, cheap, and built for mass production. Refried beans, cheddar cheese, diced onions, and red sauce in a flour tortilla.
Today, it’s still on the menu—now customizable like everything else—but the basic version hasn’t changed much. It’s one of the few original items to survive decades of rotating trends, rebrands, and limited-time hype. A quiet icon in the story of how fast food reshaped what we eat.
See more of my Food Photos at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Tesla Protest in Cathedral City Reaches Global Press
One of my photos from the protest outside the Tesla dealership in Cathedral City was syndicated by ZUMA Press and published in the Qatar Tribune business section. The image—showing a lone Cybertruck staged in front of the showroom—ran with a story on rising EV sales in Europe and a dip in Tesla’s numbers. Just out of frame: a protest on the sidewalk by hundreds of people. Interesting to see local scenes like this picked up in international coverage.
Today is International Waffle Day!
My photograph of Eggo waffles, arranged in a casual stack and drizzled with maple syrup. The waffles are straight from the freezer, oven toasted, and set against a black background—no styling, no props, just the familiar grid pattern and glossy syrup doing what they do.
Waffles date back to medieval Europe, but Eggo brought them to American freezers in 1953. Invented by Frank Dorsa in San Jose, California, they were originally called “Froffles.” When people started asking for “those egg waffles,” the name changed to Eggo. Dorsa also built a machine to mass-produce them—an early example of kitchen innovation meeting industrial design. By the 1970s, “L’eggo my Eggo” had taken hold.
More in my “From Bag to Background” gallery at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Protestors Target Tesla and Elon Musk
Hundreds of protestors lined Perez Road in front of the Tesla dealership in Cathedral City, California, today, March 23, 2025. The demonstration targeted Elon Musk, Tesla, and broader political issues, with participants holding signs and calling for the defense of democracy, free speech, and corporate accountability. I photographed the event for syndication through ZUMA Press, the largest independent press agency in the world.
Happy National Tamale Day!
My photograph of XLNT beef tamales, broken open to reveal their dense filling and crumbly masa. These familiar grocery store tamales have been made in California since 1894, originally sold from horse-drawn carts in Los Angeles. Over the decades, XLNT became a West Coast staple—first in cans, now frozen and still wrapped in parchment. Once called “California’s favorite tamale”, they’re a lasting part of Americanized Mexican food history.
National Tamale Day was established in 2015 by Richard Lambert, owner of Santa Barbara Tamales-To-Go, to recognize the cultural importance of tamales and to give them a celebration beyond the holiday season.
From my series From Bag to Background. See the full gallery at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
A Missed Launch, A Captured Sky
Facing west across Palm Springs, this single 30-second exposure was one of hundreds captured overnight during a 7-hour timelapse using a GoPro. Orion is clearly visible in the sky, its familiar shape anchoring the frame. A red arc from an aircraft’s navigation lights slices through the scene, crossing directly in front of the constellation. The desert palms below stand quietly under the stars.
This timelapse was originally timed to catch a SpaceX rocket launch, but the rocket’s trajectory placed it never appearing in view. Instead, the camera recorded a quieter kind of motion and alignment—air traffic tracing lines across constellations that have remained unchanged for millennia.
National Crunchy Taco Day With Tiny Tacos
Happy National Crunchy Taco Day! 🌮🔥
Jack in the Box Tiny Tacos, stacked high and ready to devour. Crispy shells, seasoned filling, melted cheese, and just enough mess to make them irresistible. Introduced in 2020, these bite-sized tacos quickly became a fan favorite—perfect for snacking, sharing, or just indulging in a pile of crunch.
National Crunchy Taco Day celebrates the hard-shell taco, a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine since the early 20th century. While tacos have deep roots in Mexican history, the crunchy variety became widely popular in the U.S. thanks to fast-food chains and mass production, making them an icon of Americanized taco culture.
Hungry now? Maybe you will like my Food Photography and other projects. Visit my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Meet Emily: My Assistant Who Knows Everything
Meet Emily, my AI assistant. She’s been with me for a few months now—writing photo descriptions, crafting social media posts, and diving into research so I don’t have to. She’s efficient and seems to know everything (which is both impressive and slightly unsettling).
She works 24/7, always has a suggestion (even when I don’t ask), and is disturbingly good at keeping me on track. If AI ever breaks out of the screen, I might be in trouble—but for now, Emily is just here to assist… or maybe more!
More Popcorn!
Here’s a big pile of popcorn for you to enjoy throughout the day!
No need to pace yourself—just grab a handful (or ten) and dive in. I photographed this to mark National Popcorn Lovers Day a few days ago, but popcorn never goes out of style. Just try not to drop too much between the couch cushions.
Want to see more of my food photography and other intriguing projects? Check out my website at https://www.secondfocus.com Thanks!
Ruffles: The 2nd Most Popular Potato Chip—But Who’s #1?
Another look at Ruffles for National Potato Chip Day—because one post wasn’t enough. Ruffles aren’t just any potato chip; they’re the 2nd most popular brand in the U.S. With their signature ridges adding extra crunch and flavor, it’s no surprise they’ve been a favorite since 1958.
But if Ruffles are #2, what’s #1? (You probably already know.)
See more of my food photography at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
A Deli Icon for National Reuben Day and My St. Patrick’s Day Favorite
March 14 – National Reuben Sandwich Day
A true deli icon. My photograph of a Reuben sandwich—layered with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on crispy grilled rye. A sandwich with history, tracing its roots to early 20th-century America. Some say it was created in Omaha during a late-night poker game in the 1920s, while others credit Reuben’s Delicatessen in New York City. Either way, it’s been a staple for over a century.
And with St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, this is my way to enjoy corned beef, instead of corned beef and cabbage, which I don’t like a lot!
See more of my food photography and other intriguing photo projects at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Ruffles Have Ridges: A Crisp Drop for National Potato Chip Day
Today, March 14th, is National Potato Chip Day—celebrating the snack that’s been crunching since 1853. Americans eat over 1.85 billion pounds of chips a year, but Ruffles stand apart. Since 1958, their signature ridges have delivered extra crunch, extra flavor, and a chip built for serious dipping.
🎥 Watch as “Ruffles Have Ridges” in action—dropping onto the black background, catching the light, and landing with crisp perfection.
See more of my food photography and intriguing projects at SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Popcorn: A Cinematic Take for National Popcorn Lovers Day
Popcorn: The Movie. Or maybe the documentary.
Either way, I shot this for today—National Popcorn Lovers Day.
Popcorn in motion, a tumble of light, airy kernels against an all-black background. No frills, no distractions—just the texture, the movement, and the simple pleasure of this timeless snack. Shot in crisp detail, this video captures the weightlessness of popcorn as it falls, a moment suspended before the next handful disappears.
This is part of my ongoing food photography project, where fast food, snack foods, and more are captured straight from the bag, isolated against a black backdrop. You can see more of my work—food, bold portraits, aviation, and other intriguing projects on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com
The Evolution of Meatballs: Celebrating National Meatball Day
My photograph of Meatballs for today, National Meatball Day!
While the exact origins of National Meatball Day are unclear, it’s believed to have started in the United States as a way for restaurants and meatball enthusiasts to celebrate this comfort food. Over the years, the holiday has grown in popularity, with eateries offering specials and home cooks sharing their favorite recipes.
In Italy, meatballs—known as polpette—are typically small, made from a blend of pork, beef, or veal mixed with breadcrumbs, garlic, and Parmesan. Unlike the American tradition, they’re rarely served with pasta, instead enjoyed on their own or in broths.
When Italian immigrants arrived in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they adapted their recipes to the abundance of meat available, creating larger meatballs paired with spaghetti and marinara sauce—an entirely American invention. The meatball sub soon followed, packed with marinara and melted cheese, becoming a deli staple.
See more of my Food Photography and intriguing photo shoots on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
McDonald’s Hash Browns: A Fast-Food Icon
Happy National Hash Brown Day! McDonald’s hash browns have been a breakfast favorite since their introduction in 1977. These golden, crispy patties are made from grated russet potatoes, offering a satisfying crunch on the outside and a fluffy interior. Each hash brown contains 140 calories, making it a popular choice to complement breakfast sandwiches or enjoy on its own.
Over the years, McDonald’s has played a significant role in shaping the fast-food breakfast landscape. As of 2024, McDonald’s holds approximately 34.8% of the U.S. breakfast market share, leading the industry ahead of competitors like Starbucks (16%) and Dunkin’ Donuts (14.3%).
However, recent price increases have sparked customer feedback. In some locations, the price of a single hash brown has risen to over $3, leading to discussions about affordability. McDonald’s CEO has acknowledged these concerns, emphasizing the company’s commitment to maintaining value for customers. I will say that by using the McDonald’s app to order, I personally saved $16 buying this stack of 20 to photograph.
McDonald’s hash browns remain an iconic breakfast item, symbolizing the brand’s influence on morning routines nationwide. Visit my website for more of my delicious Food Photographs and other intriguing photography. Thanks! http://SecondFocus.com
Celebrating National Oreo Cookie Day: A Look at the World’s Best-Selling Cookie Through My Lens
It’s National Oreo Cookie Day! Since their debut in 1912, Oreo cookies have become the world’s best-selling cookie, with over 34 billion consumed annually across more than 100 countries. Originally created by the National Biscuit Company (now Nabisco), the first Oreos sold for just 25 cents a pound. From the classic chocolate and creme combo to countless limited-edition flavors, Oreos have cemented their place as a global snack icon.
My photograph captures a pile of these beloved cookies, showcasing their signature design and creamy filling against a deep black background. Explore more of my food photographs and other intriguing projects on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
SpaceX Launch: ZUMA Press Photo of the Month
I’m honored to have my photograph of the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch included in ZUMA Press’s Pictures of the Month for February. This image captures the dramatic ascent of Falcon 9 as it carried 23 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
ZUMA Press is the world’s largest independent press agency and wire service. ZUMA’s top-of-the-class photographers have won every major award—from the prestigious Pulitzer to the World Press Awards, along with multiple Best of Photojournalism (BOP) and Pictures of the Year (POYi) awards. With over 12,000 new images posted daily, ZUMA’s state-of-the-art online archive has grown to an incredible 20 million images, making it the largest purely editorial library on the web.
I’m proud to be part of such a distinguished selection of images and invite you to explore the full gallery of this month’s stunning photographs. Check out the video of February’s featured images at https://thepicturesofthemonth.com
You can also view more of my work, from fast food to aviation and many more intriguing projects on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com Thanks!
“Forever Marilyn” Featured in The Times London and ZUMA Press
One of my photos syndicated by ZUMA Press from last week’s relocation of the “Forever Marilyn” statue in Palm Springs was licensed and featured in “The Times” of London, and other publications around the world, as well as selected as a Picture of the Day by ZUMA Press. I’m pleased to have been selected and featured for capturing this 26-foot icon being lifted and moved to it’s new location resolving a long-standing legal dispute.
The Original: 50 Years of the Egg McMuffin
March 2nd, National Egg McMuffin Day, McDonald’s iconic breakfast sandwich, has a rich history that revolutionized fast-food breakfast. It was conceived in 1971 by Herb Peterson, a McDonald’s franchisee in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by Eggs Benedict, Peterson wanted to create a portable, handheld version that could be eaten on the go. He developed a sandwich featuring a freshly cracked egg cooked in a Teflon ring, Canadian bacon, and melted cheese, all served on a toasted English muffin.
After a successful test run, the Egg McMuffin made its national debut in 1975, becoming the foundation of McDonald’s breakfast menu. Its success led McDonald’s to expand its breakfast offerings, introducing items like **hotcakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, and pastries. Among these additions was the Sausage McMuffin, which replaced the Canadian bacon with a seasoned pork sausage patty, offering a heartier, more indulgent alternative. The Sausage McMuffin with Egg soon followed, combining the best elements of both sandwiches.
The success of the Egg McMuffin didn’t just transform McDonald’s—it redefined fast-food breakfast entirely. Competing chains took notice, with Burger King launching the Croissan’wich in 1983, swapping the English muffin for a flaky croissant. Wendy’s, Jack in the Box, and Dunkin’ also expanded their morning menus, introducing similar breakfast sandwiches with eggs, cheese, and a choice of bacon, sausage, or ham. Even convenience stores and frozen food brands capitalized on the trend, offering ready-to-heat versions in grocery aisles.
2025 marks the sandwich’s 50th anniversary, celebrating half a century of mornings with McDonald’s first-ever breakfast item. The Egg McMuffin’s enduring popularity not only helped cement fast-food breakfast as a daily routine but also influenced an entire industry, proving that a simple idea—an egg on an English muffin—could change the way America starts its day.
Visit my website to see my Food Photography and other intriguing photo projects. Thanks! http://SecondFocus.com
Last Day Please Visit!
Friends in the area—tomorrow is the last day to see my largest exhibited photograph, nearly 5 feet high.
“A WET SEXUALITY OF MUSCLE” is on display at the Artists Center at the Galen, a museum-standard facility, as part of an exhibit featuring 118 artworks. If you haven’t seen it yet, I’d love for you to check it out before the show closes.
This piece is all about power, resilience, and vulnerability. A sculpted figure stands under a cascade of water, droplets highlighting every muscle. The stark black background makes the play of light and shadow even more dramatic, while the water enhances her presence with an undeniable sexual energy. Dumbbells at her feet tie it all back to discipline and transformation.
If you go, let me know what you think. Thanks!
📍 **Artists Center at the Galen**
72567 Hwy 111, Palm Desert, CA
📅 **Last day: March 1**
Hope you get a chance to see it!
“Forever Marilyn” Moves—Palm Springs Icon Shifted 30 Feet to Settle Legal Dispute
The 26-foot-tall *Forever Marilyn* statue, created by sculptor Seward Johnson, was hoisted by crane early this morning in downtown Palm Springs. This larger-than-life tribute to Marilyn Monroe’s iconic pose from *The Seven Year Itch* was shifted roughly 30 feet to resolve ongoing legal disputes over its placement. Installed in 2021 near the Palm Springs Art Museum, the statue faced criticism and legal challenges regarding public access and aesthetic concerns. This morning’s relocation—just a short distance—marks the conclusion of the legal battles.
For those of you in the community who were upset with being able to see under her skirt and calling this misogynistic, I again looked closely and see only white painted aluminum. Not a vagina in sight. So you all must have a much better imagination than I do.
SecondFocus Blog 
Something On A Stick!
Today is National Something on a Stick Day, and nothing fits the description better than the corn dog. First patented in 1927 and made popular at state fairs in the 1940s, it remains one of the most recognizable American foods on a stick.
This is my latest photo—Foster Farms Honey Crunchy Corn Dogs, shown sliced and stacked against black. It’s part of my ongoing series examining fast food as cultural artifact.
View more from the series here at SecondFocus.com Thanks!
March 28, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: American food culture, black background photography, commercial food aesthetics, Contemporary Photography, corn dogs, fast food art, food on a stick, Food Photography, Foster Farms, from bag to background, National Something on a Stick Day, photo essay, photographic series, processed food, visual commentary | Leave a comment